The Texas Legislature has left Austin, and Gov. Greg Abbott has turned his attentions to the state’s border with Mexico, where the policy issues are difficult and the politics are rewarding.
Immigration
In-depth reporting on border issues, policies, communities, and the impact of immigration across the state, from The Texas Tribune.
Gov. Greg Abbott wants to build a border wall, but does Texas have the ability — or money — to do so?
Critics have denounced Abbott’s proposal as “political theater” that won’t pass legal muster. But the two-term Republican governor says it’s time to secure the border.
Republicans think they can take South Texas — especially after a win in McAllen
Statewide officials are campaigning in the Democratic stronghold and GOP groups are now targeting statehouse districts.
Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas will build a border wall, but doesn’t yet give details on cost or location
The governor suggested more details would be released next week. The announcement Thursday of several initiatives is the latest in an ongoing conflict between Abbott, a Republican, and Democratic President Joe Biden’s administration.
Biden administration threatens to sue after Texas officials say they’ll yank licenses from facilities housing unaccompanied migrant children
A federal attorney claims an order from Gov. Greg Abbott violates the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause and said legal action could follow if the state carries through with plans to pull licenses from the federally contracted facilities.
Supreme Court unanimously backs limits on immigrants with temporary protected status seeking green cards
As many as 400,000 immigrants have been granted temporary protected status in the U.S. because of unsafe conditions or crises in their native countries.
Greg Abbott sends state troopers, National Guard to border after increase in fentanyl seizures
Abbott said the increase in fentanyl seizures correlates with President Joe Biden taking office in January and implementing new border policies.
How inconsistent policies and enforcement have created false hope for migrants at the border
The Biden administration and the Mexican government have made the situation at the border so confusing that even seasoned experts can’t always determine who is allowed in and who isn’t. That may be contributing to the high number of border crossings.
Analysis: Texas voters signal a turn to normal, in more ways than one
Texas voters are returning to normal pre-pandemic activities, and to their customary civic and political concerns, too. The changes are evident in the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll.
TribCast, special edition: Our pollsters on how Texans feel about guns, police, and the pandemic
In this edition of the TribCast, Ross talks to pollsters Joshua Blank, James Henson and Daron Shaw about the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll and what voters are thinking about guns, policing, voting law and the pandemic.


